New North Luzon Army chief vows ‘zero’ rights abuse

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—The new chief of the military’s Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) promised that no human rights violation would be committed by soldiers under his watch.

“The aim is zero human rights violations,” said Maj. Gen. Jessie Dellosa, who replaced retired Lt. Gen. Gaudencio Pangilinan as Nolcom commander.

At a flag-raising ceremony in Camp Aquino, Tarlac City, on Monday, Dellosa led officers and troops in renewing their pledges of commitment to the International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

Declared 62 years ago, the IHL is a “set of rules which seek, for humanitarian reasons, to limit the effects of armed conflict,” the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said.

The ICRC said the IHL protects people “who are not or are no longer participating in the hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare.”

“International humanitarian law is also known as the law of war or the law of armed conflict,” said ICRC.

Dellosa said Nolcom will follow the basic rules in protecting civilians, wounded and sick combatants, and prisoners of war.

Of 305 cases of extrajudicial killings documented by the Asia Foundation from 2001 to August 2010, 62 cases occurred in Central Luzon, 26 in the Ilocos, six in Cagayan Valley and four in the Cordillera. The four regions are within Nolcom’s coverage area.

These regions recorded 112 of the 390 victims for the same period, the same study showed.

The Asia Foundation said the number of extrajudicial killings increased in 2005 and 2006 during the term of former President Macapagal-Arroyo.

Dellosa said Nolcom’s Bayanihan program in counterinsurgency involves local governments. The two other priority programs are rescue operations during disasters and environmental protection.

He also ordered soldiers to “perform the strictest practice of discipline to command respect and integrity from civilians.”